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PRCSC - [Any or All of the Following Actions, if Desired] (1) Discussion and Selection of a Topic and/or a Date for “Community Conversations - Topic #8;” and/or, (2) Formation of Additional Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s); and, (3) Appointment of Two Commissioners to the Newly-Formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s).
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Meeting Date: February 6, 2018
Contact Person/Dept: Corey Lakin/PRCS Department-Administration
Phone Number: (310) 253-6682
Fiscal Impact: Yes [] No [X] General Fund: Yes [] No []
Public Hearing: [] Action Item: [X] Attachments: []
Public Notification: (Email) Meetings and Agendas - Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission (02/02/18); (Email) Parks, Recreation & Community Service Department Updates (02/02/18)
Department Approval: Corey Lakin, PRCS Director (02/01/18)
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RECOMMENDATION
Staff recommends that the Parks, Recreation and Community Services (PRCS) Commission take any or all of the following actions, if desired: (1) discuss and select a topic and/or a date for “Community Conversation - Topic #8;” and/or, (2) form additional Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s); and, (3) appoint two Commissioners to the newly-formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s).
BACKGROUND
PRCS Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittees
An “ad hoc” subcommittee serves only a limited or single purpose. It is not perpetual, and it is dissolved when its specific task is completed. With this in mind, the Commission dissolved all of the Fiscal Year 2016/2017 Ad Hoc Subcommittees at the August 1, 2017 meeting.
An Ad Hoc Subcommittee may be formed at any Commission meeting, as long as the discussion has been placed on the Agenda in advance. Once an Ad Hoc Subcommittee has been created, updates are given by Members during the Standing Agenda Item, “Updates from the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission Ad Hoc Subcommittees and Representative Appointees to Outside Associations and City Committees.” In some cases, a separate, specialized Agenda Item is prepared and presented so that the full Commission can participate in discussions and decisions on the Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s topic or event.
The Community Conversations Series
In 2011, the PRCS Commission began hosting “Community Conversations” which are presentations on topics of major relevance to the community that often include a panel discussion. Being fully cognizant of ongoing budgetary constraints, the Commission designed the Community Conversations series as one that has minimal fiscal impact on the City. In general, the procedure for hosting the presentations has been as follows:
• Presentations are held at regular PRCS Commission meetings. Special meetings are not called solely for the purpose of hosting presentations; however, regular meeting dates may be adjusted to accommodate presentations if the Commission so desires.
• Commissioners identify, contact and make arrangements with the presenter(s).
• Commissioners create a flyer for the presentation and email it to PRCS Department staff for distribution.
• PRCS staff uses the flyer in two to three email blasts to publicize the presentation.
• PRCS staff makes copies of the flyer and posts it at various Culver City parks and facilities.
These presentations have generated much community interest and have been very successful. The Community Conversations that have been held previously include:
1. February 1, 2011 - “Words Matter I” (Bullying)
2. June 7, 2011 - “Elder Abuse - How it Affects You, Your Family & Your Neighbors”
3. May 1, 2012 - “Healthy Living in Tough Times: Identifying and Coping with Stress from Financial Hardship”
4. April 2, 2013 - “Food vs. Mind and Body”
5. November 19, 2013 - Words Matter II’ (Bullying)
6. September 1, 2015 - “Character and Community Building in Youth Athletics”
7. May 2, 2017 - “Growing Up Intercultural in Culver City: A Student-Based Conversation on Race and Culture”
DISCUSSION
Community Conversations - Topic #8
At the September 5, 2017 Commission meeting, Commissioners Amezola and Mohammed were appointed to the Community Conversations - Topic #8 Ad Hoc Subcommittee. At the January 17, 2018 Commission meeting, Commissioner Amezola read the information contained in the Ad Hoc Subcommittee’s Working Document (Attachment 1). There was consensus that a discussion of the potential Community Conversation topic, “#MeToo, Changing the Culture Around Us” should be agendized at this evening’s meeting. The nonprofit that was suggested as the presenter of the topic is the National Council of Jewish Women. The workshop being proposed as the main feature of the Community Conversation is titled, “The Talk Project.” The following information was taken from the website of the National Council of Jewish Women, at <https://ncjwla.org/thetalkproject/>:
The Talk Project is a FREE peer-to-peer sexual violence awareness program for high school students.
Teen peer educators from across Los Angeles visit high schools and youth groups throughout LA to present an interactive program about sexual violence and consent.
Students get to talk about these issues in a safe space in discussions led by educators their own age. The program includes information on laws, statistics, definitions, interactive activities, and inspiring and educational clips from The Hunting Ground documentary.
• Learn how you can de-stigmatize the discussion of sexual violence.
• Discover how you can stop the cycle that enables sexual violence.
• Find out how you can advocate for consent culture.
The Talk Project is a project of the NCJW|LA Teen Advocacy Working Group in partnership with The Hunting Ground film.
Here is the link to the The Talk Project’s website: www.changethetalk.org <http://www.changethetalk.org/>.
Staff was able to tentatively arrange for the date of Wednesday, April 18, 2018, and the start time of 6:00 p.m., for a PRCS Commission Special Meeting during which Community Conversations - Topic #8 could be scheduled. If desired, the Commission can finalize that date and time for the Special Meeting at this evening’s meeting. Staff is currently in consultation with the City Attorney’s Office regarding the Commission’s proposed topic for Community Conversations - Topic #8 to ensure approval from their office and the City Manager’s Office.
Additional Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s)
This Agenda Item has also been prepared in order to give the Commission an opportunity to form additional Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s) and appoint two Commissioners to the newly-formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s), should Commissioners desire to do so. The current list of Commission appointments, including meeting and contact information, is provided as Attachment 1 to Agenda Item A-6.
FISCAL IMPACT
There is no fiscal impact associated with the discussion of this Agenda Item.
ATTACHMENTS
1. 2018-02-06 - ATT 1 Community Conversations - Topic #8 Ad Hoc Subcommittee Working Document
MOTIONS
That the Parks, Recreation and Community Services Commission take any or all of the following actions, if desired:
1. Select ___________________________as a topic and/or ______________as a date and time for Community Conversations - Topic #8; and/or,
2. Form other new Ad Hoc Subcommittees(s); and,
3. Appoint Commissioner ____________________ and Commissioner ____________________ to the newly formed Ad Hoc Subcommittee(s).
OR
4. Take no action at this time.